Loomis warranty and pricing- the truth 2024
flechero reply :
With some regularity, people bash Loomis and the cost of the warranty vs the cost of the rods...
Let's take an honest look at G.Loomis's pricing and warranty situation:
I know this has become a popular thought (that Loomis jacked up prices to cover the "Expiditer" warranty) but it's just not true. The cost of Loomis rods has been more stable than the cost of living index and inflation. The prices of the high end rods are within a few dollars of what they were almost 15 years ago, long before the Expiditer warranty was introduced.
It's cheaper to buy Loomis rods now that ever before.... I bought a few IMX rods in May 1994 (I remember the date because I bought a boat that month) I paid:
MBR784 $225
MBR785 $240
MBR844 $245
When you do the math, they have actually gotten much cheaper over time with inflation and cost of living. An IMX back then was about the equivalent of twice that price today.
Now some will probably argue that they have been overpriced for all these years, but what they also don't know (or remember) is that 15 years ago, it was very hard to buy these rods because no dealer could keep them in stock. Demand was way ahead of production. Compared to the crap that we had back then, I was glad to pay the asking price... as they were light years ahead of most rods back then.
If you don't want to buy or use Loomis, that's perfectly fine but lets not mix up fact and opinions.
rant over. (this wasn't directed at any one person... the topic comes up quite often)
Chris W reply :
Hard to believe that is all the price has changed in 15 years.
roadwarrior reply :
G. Loomis is a great value for a rod you will spend a lifetime fishing.
8-)
Jig Man reply :
I have no problem with them their warranty or price. I just wish I had 10 more of them to replace other brands I bought before I got my hands on a Loomis.
steezy reply :
Anybody ever amortize the investment in a loomis over 20 or 30 years. Its gotta look good.
Bantam1 reply :
There is a difference between the warranty and the Xpeditor service. The XPeditor is $50 no questions asked. You ship your rod back in the provided tube with the provided shipping label within 30 days. If you do not ship it back within 30 days they will charge you full MSRP for the rod. This is the best option if the rod broke say shutting it in the car door or in your tail gate.
You can also send the rod in for warranty repair. Typically this is free with the only cost to you being shipping to WA. They can deem that the rod broke by non fishing related conditions and possibly charge you. From what I understand they rarely charge for warranty repair or replacement.
GLoomis has done extensive testing on rod blanks to understadn how and why they break. They can tell which way the rod was bent when it broke, how it broke and if it was a legitimate failure or not.
tyrius. reply :
QuoteAnybody ever amortize the investment in a loomis over 20 or 30 years. Its gotta look good.
Sounds like a money loser to me!! Buy something for retail price and 20-30 years later you have something worth maybe half of what you paide for it.
Doesn't sound like an investment that I want to make!!! 
J Francho reply :
I don't exclusively bash G. Loomis...in fact, I rarely use their name. I don't consider it bashing. Fact is, I don't actually like their rods for several reasons. I'm more likely to actually bash them for their antiquated grips, ugly blanks, and poor fit and finish.
I would be more likely to attribute the prices to modern, more efficient manufacturing through well managed methodologies (i.e. ISO, Lean Six Sigma, TTM, CMM, etc.).
St. Croix has the same type of service. They in fact take it to another level, and offer an upgrade plan that G. Loomis does not offer.
And, yes, I'm a hypocrite - I own several St. Croix, plan to purchase more, and even owned a G. Loomis IMX, though it was a trout rod.
I just don't see how they cannot have the cost of such a service built in, without it being passed to the retail consumer.
flechero reply :
QuoteI just don't see how they cannot have the cost of such a service built in, without it being passed to the retail consumer.
I think what they have done is operate on a much thinner profit margin and made it up (and then some) on volume. Used to only be able to get IMX at a select few shops... now you can get them everywhere.
QuoteYou can also send the rod in for warranty repair. Typically this is free with the only cost to you being shipping to WA. They can deem that the rod broke by non fishing related conditions and possibly charge you. From what I understand they rarely charge for warranty repair or replacement.
Very true, but that's not what I was trying to address... the complaints usually stem from the Expediter service.
Sometimes they charge you for the return shipping as well which ends up being more than the Expediter service since you have to insure the shipment for full value. (depending on the rod and your location)
QuoteI'm more likely to actually bash them for their antiquated grips, ugly blanks, and poor fit and finish.
valid points, but not warranty related. (although I like raw blanks when you can't choose the colors!)
MarauderYak reply :
Flechero, G Loomis rods have gotten cheaper (relatively speaking) over the years, but you may be overestimating how much. $225 in 1994 should be worth $327 today (strictly due to inflation), and that rod actually sells for $270. It's hard to compare that to what has happened with other company's fishing equipment because there's not many of the exact same items being made today that were made in 1994. The real question is, will that continue to be the case as Loomis is completely incorporated into the Shimano company next year? While they've been owned by Shimano for a while, they've still had their own management, and operated as a seperate entity.
J Francho, until this year (actually started last year) Loomis hadn't made any signifcant changes to their rod production procedures since the day they started. But they've grown so much that their procedures were actually creating HUGE problems for them. They've now finished re-training all their rod builders & incorporated new procedures that should be a huge cost savings for them.
Pantera61 reply :
Simply remarkable.
basspro96 reply :
Most people are afraid to get a G.Loomis in the fact that the bait monkey might make them addicted to the terrible drug....Nothing like selling all your rods and then buying new ones and 200 dollars + a pop...
The Yankee Fist reply :
Over a lifetime Loomis rods are a great value. If you don't think so, buy a crap combo every 1-2 years at Wal Mart and see how it adds up.
I really think anyone who rants about the price is just whining because OF the price alone. Go to Wal Mart, get the rod you can afford and leave us the hell alone.
I am so sick of getting judged by what I own or have bought. I busted I disagree saving to afford those Loomis rods I have. It was a childhood aspiration to own them, I love how they fish and you know what? I'm catching more fish than ever in an area known to be a ***** to catch bass of sizeable nature on a regular basis in terrible conditions this year. It ain't me, I still cast and retrieve the same way I did as a kid 30 years ago, it's the gear.
Pantera61 reply :
QuoteOver a lifetime Loomis rods are a great value. If you don't think so, buy a crap combo every 1-2 years at Wal Mart and see how it adds up.I really think anyone who rants about the price is just whining because OF the price alone. Go to Wal Mart, get the rod you can afford and leave us the hell alone.
I am so sick of getting judged by what I own or have bought. I busted I disagree saving to afford those Loomis rods I have. It was a childhood aspiration to own them, I love how they fish and you know what? I'm catching more fish than ever in an area known to be a pregnant dog to catch bass of sizeable nature on a regular basis in terrible conditions this year. It ain't me, I still cast and retrieve the same way I did as a kid 30 years ago, it's the gear.
Try a Megabass or Evergreen. Then you will REALLY know what a fishing rod is.
J Francho reply :
QuoteI am so sick of getting judged by what I own or have bought.
Why would you assume that because one doesn't share the same opinion as you that they are judging you? I don't use G.Loomis, and I don't use Wal Mart crap.
tyrius. reply :
QuoteI am so sick of getting judged by what I own or have bought.
It's equally annoying to hear this refrain all the time. People who don't buy a Loomis and don't like them as much aren't necessarily judging anyone. They're simply expressing their opinion the same as you are.
Bantam1 reply :
QuoteThe real question is, will that continue to be the case as Loomis is completely incorporated into the Shimano company next year? While they've been owned by Shimano for a while, they've still had their own management, and operated as a seperate entity.J Francho, until this year (actually started last year) Loomis hadn't made any signifcant changes to their rod production procedures since the day they started. But they've grown so much that their procedures were actually creating HUGE problems for them. They've now finished re-training all their rod builders & incorporated new procedures that should be a huge cost savings for them.
We have owned the company since 1997 and no changes have been made to the way they do business, build rods or design rods. There are some changes starting at the end of this year. The one affecting you most will be customer service. Shimano will start handling customer service related issues starting soon. I do not have an official date because one has not been set yet. As of right now lets say December 1, 2009, maybe earlier. Nothing will change as far as the Xpeditor Service program or warranty programs. Everything will remain the same as far as warranty processes are concerned.
There have been some rumors flying around that we will be taking GLoomis overseas for production. This is not true at all. We have no intentions of changing what Loomis does or taking production to our factories. GLoomis will continue to build high tech rods at the factory in Woodland, WA. They want to focus on being a manufacturer and develop rods as they have done since 1985. GLoomis is a rod factory focused on building high performance rods. This will be the only factory to produce GLoomis rods for both the US and internationally.
With Shimano taking over all aspects of sales, marketing and customer service this allows for some growth and has allowed time for improved qualtiy training at the factory. With our assistance in these areas GLoomis has been able to update the manufacturing process and develop more efficient production processes. This means that they will be able to increase production with an even higher level of quality than before.
roadwarrior reply :
I for one applaud your efforts. G. Loomis are my favorite rods
and, SURPRISE!, Shimano makes my favorite reels. Keep
up the great tradition.
flechero reply :
QuoteI for one applaud your efforts. G. Loomis are my favorite rodsand, SURPRISE!, Shimano makes my favorite reels. Keep
up the great tradition.
Can you imagine if Shimano bought Yo-Zuri? ;D ;D ;D ;D
Bantam1 reply :
I will be helping out with all Loomis related topics from now on. The same is also true for Power Pro.
Pretty soon my work shirt is going to look like a professional bass anglers shirt. With all the companies I work with now it will look like I'm sponsored ;D
flechero reply :
QuoteI will be helping out with all Loomis related topics from now on.
It will be nice to have someone of "authority" to call BS on the BS.
Bronzefly reply :
Loomis out of Woodland, WA has always provided top notch customer service to me. Shimano USA out of Irvine, CA has always provided equally impressive customer service. I expect that once the Loomis customer service is all "in house" at Shimano USA that the service will remain as excellent as it has always been. I'm also glad that B1 will be available as a resource for Loomis questions as well. Keep up the great work guys and thank you for providing top notch products and customer service!
MarauderYak reply :
Bantam1, when I said we'll see what changes I was primarily addressing pricing. And I was speaking of 2011 and beyond. I already know about all the re-training, and the management changes there, and think they'll have positive results for both the consumer & for Shimano. But with Shimano now completely taking charge, there is no way that the next 15 years will be as static (pricing and product developement) as the last 15 at Loomis. I know Shimano understands the importance of maintaining the consistancy of GL product, but I'm willing to bet that over the next 3 years you'll see a larger change to the GL line than you've seen over the last 15.
I'm not insinuating it will be bad for us consumers, I'm just predicting change.
flechero reply :
Quotethere is no way that the next 15 years will be as static (pricing and product developement) as the last 15 at Loomis.
Did Captain Obvious steal your password? ;D
roadwarrior reply :
Hmm...
I consider creating technique specific rod series an innovative
marketing concept. I don't know that G. Loomis came up with
the idea, but they have perfected it!
Introducing a "better rod" series (GLX) when the IMX was already
considered "the best" is interesting, too. Squeezing out a
25-30% pricing mark-up for 5% "improvement" seems like
another clever business decision.
I guess I don't share the view that G. Loomis has been "static"
for fifteen years. New product designations have tweaked rod
design to make them oh-so-slightly specific for designated tasks.
I assure you, you do not need a SMR to fish for smallmouth.
On the otherhand, I mostly fish a PR844S which I suspect is
not even a consideration for most smallmouth fishermen!
8-)
Lucky Craft Man reply :
QuoteI will be helping out with all Loomis related topics from now on. The same is also true for Power Pro.Pretty soon my work shirt is going to look like a professional bass anglers shirt. With all the companies I work with now it will look like I'm sponsored ;D
Should we ask you G Loomis & Power Pro Questions in the Shimano Product Support Forum or will there be a new forum created for each?
Bantam1 reply :
Well we are going to work that out with the owner of the site. My boss needs to speak with him and get things rolling. I plan to have Shimano, Power Pro and GLoomis all the same forum. I have it this way on a few sites right now. For now you can post questions on this forum or the Shimano forum unless the moderators say otherwise.
MarauderYak reply :
QuoteHmm...I consider creating technique specific rod series an innovative
marketing concept. I don't know that G. Loomis came up with
the idea, but they have perfected it!
Introducing a "better rod" series (GLX) when the IMX was already
considered "the best" is interesting, too. Squeezing out a
25-30% pricing mark-up for 5% "improvement" seems like
another clever business decision.
I guess I don't share the view that G. Loomis has been "static"
for fifteen years. New product designations have tweaked rod
design to make them oh-so-slightly specific for designated tasks.
I assure you, you do not need a SMR to fish for smallmouth.
On the otherhand, I mostly fish a PR844S which I suspect is
not even a consideration for most smallmouth fishermen!
8-)
I'm looking at it in a relative sense. Compared to the product changes made at all of the major rod or reel companies over the last 15 years... Loomis has had the fewest changes (IMO). In particular I was talking in relation to Shimano. How many rod or reel series from Shimano are the same as they were 15 years ago? Look at the changes made to their flagship (Curado) over that time frame.
I don't think there's any way Loomis rods will undergo that dramatic of a change, but with a much different management philosophy comes change.
Bantam1 reply :
Management at Loomis will not change. The same people will still be in charge. Now they may have some influence from our management, but nothing drastic. It will be more focused at being innovative again and not changing what they currently produce. Most of the changes in the near future will be aimed at increasing production and improving quality.
MarauderYak reply :
QuoteManagement at Loomis will not change. The same people will still be in charge. Now they may have some influence from our management, but nothing drastic. It will be more focused at being innovative again and not changing what they currently produce. Most of the changes in the near future will be aimed at increasing production and improving quality.
The NSM at Loomis is stepping down & being taken over by the Shimano NSM.
flechero reply :
QuoteHow many rod or reel series from Shimano are the same as they were 15 years ago?
I'd bet some cash that if they had IMX and GLX, they would still be offered. When your product is the industry's benchmark, there aren't many compelling reasons to discontinue making it.
Bantam1 reply :
OK you got me on the National Sales Manager. I believe Jim Lebson was in charge, but I could be mistaken.
Jim Lebson has stepped into the role of Executive Director; Steve Rajeff G.Loomis' world-class fly, spin and casting rod expert and rod designer, leads the engineering department; Willie Cates continues as Director of Manufacturing; Lisa Cates remains Director of Operations; Bruce Holt has a new role in brand communications and product development.
We will be handling sales, marketing and customer service. Chris Hess was the marketing manager at GLoomis and now he is here at Shimano as the marketing manager for all of our brands. Carey Graves is our NSM and he will be in charge of sales for Loomis. Brian Nolte will be in charge of customer service.
MarauderYak reply :
Shimano bringing Carey Graves back was an excellent move.
If ANYONE is reading "the sky is falling" or similar from any of my posts, that is not the intent, nor the way I feel. I'm just saying I see the possible changes on the horizon. Not like the moving of production, or elimination of IMX. But perhaps some pricing changes & maybe an increase in new product introductions.
Bantam1 reply :
Yes I am glad Carey is back. He is a great person and does a fantastic job with sales.
I was told there will be no pricing changes unless cost of materials rises again. I know one of the carbon suppliers makes some material exclusively for GLoomis since there was no use for it in the aerospace industry. They could decide to raise the pricing or stop making it at any point. Lets hope that doesn't happen.
Redsyn reply :
QuoteQuoteThe real question is, will that continue to be the case as Loomis is completely incorporated into the Shimano company next year? While they've been owned by Shimano for a while, they've still had their own management, and operated as a seperate entity.J Francho, until this year (actually started last year) Loomis hadn't made any signifcant changes to their rod production procedures since the day they started. But they've grown so much that their procedures were actually creating HUGE problems for them. They've now finished re-training all their rod builders & incorporated new procedures that should be a huge cost savings for them.
We have owned the company since 1997 and no changes have been made to the way they do business, build rods or design rods. There are some changes starting at the end of this year. The one affecting you most will be customer service. Shimano will start handling customer service related issues starting soon. I do not have an official date because one has not been set yet. As of right now lets say December 1, 2009, maybe earlier. Nothing will change as far as the Xpeditor Service program or warranty programs. Everything will remain the same as far as warranty processes are concerned.
There have been some rumors flying around that we will be taking GLoomis overseas for production. This is not true at all. We have no intentions of changing what Loomis does or taking production to our factories. GLoomis will continue to build high tech rods at the factory in Woodland, WA. They want to focus on being a manufacturer and develop rods as they have done since 1985. GLoomis is a rod factory focused on building high performance rods. This will be the only factory to produce GLoomis rods for both the US and internationally.
With Shimano taking over all aspects of sales, marketing and customer service this allows for some growth and has allowed time for improved qualtiy training at the factory. With our assistance in these areas GLoomis has been able to update the manufacturing process and develop more efficient production processes. This means that they will be able to increase production with an even higher level of quality than before.
I have been to shimano in irvine for reel services and everytime it was top notch. A lot of times get more than expected. So if shimano handles customer service for g loomis then does that mean if I ever happen to break a loomis rod (which has not happen yet), can I walk into shimano in irvine and walk out w/ a new rod Minus the shipping cost? How is that going to work?
Another question is will loomis ever have an upgrade program like st croix where you can bring in one rod and choose to upgrade to another more expensive model by paying the difference?
Sam reply :
As for their warranty, my brand new rod is on the way to me as a replacement for the one that broke.
I cannot say anything negative about G. Loomis.
In my book, they are the best!
Bantam1 reply :
Redsyn-
The warranty procedure will reamin exactly the same as it is right now. The rods will need to be shipped to GLoomis in WA. We are not going to handle warranty replacements at our location in Irvine. This could change in the future but from what I have been told they want to keep it in WA.
As far as an upgrade program I do not think this will happen.
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